Did you know? The first American woman to win a Nobel Peace Prize is from Illinois

“The good we secure for ourselves is precarious and uncertain until it is secured for all of us and incorporated into our common life,” said Jane Addams, the first American woman to win a Nobel Peace Prize. Addams spent her whole life fighting for the good and equality of everyone. She was the second woman ever to win the Nobel Peace Prize, the first American woman and the first woman from Illinois to win the award. She founded the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom in 1919, and during WWI she worked tirelessly for many years for the great nations of the world to disarm and conclude peace agreements. Before America joined the war she chaired a women’s conference for peace held in the Hague Netherlands, and pleaded with President Woodrow Wilson to mediate peace. Instead America joined the war efforts, and Jane Addams became a loud and outspoken opponent to WWI. Once a peace treaty was made in Germany, the American government recognized her efforts for peace.

She won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1931, however she did more to achieve this award than fight against the Great War. Jane Addams was born in Cedarville in 1860 and died in Chicago in 1935. In 1881 she graduated from Rockford Female Seminary at the top of her class. During her life she worked to help the poor and stop children from being used in industrial labor. She ran a Hull House in Chicago, a center which helped immigrants, and it was the first settlement house in the United States. She would give speeches all across the nation advocating for the Hull House.

Jane Addams was a strong woman and courageous advocate for peace and equality. She, along with other women reformers, was instrumental in successfully lobbying for the creation of a juvenile court system. Addams also worked to establish a School for Social work at the University of Chicago. She was active in the women’s suffrage movement and was an officer in the National American Women’s Suffrage Association. She was outspoken about women’s rights once saying, “Old-fashioned ways which no longer apply to changed conditions are a snare in which the feet of women have always become readily entangled.”   

Jane Addams accomplished much in her life, always seeking different ways to help those around her. She was a remarkable women who helped to improve Illinois and the lives of many.

Celebrate the holidays with lights, laughter and levity

Chestnuts roasting over an open fire, Jack Frost nipping at your nose and Christmas lights! Nothing quite embodies the holiday season like driving home when the sun has set and seeing houses bursting with Christmas lights and decorations. This season, neighborhoods are not the only places lit up with the holiday spirit. Multiple locations and festivals create wonderful light shows all over Illinois during December and January. Embrace the holiday season and make memories with loved ones by visiting these colorful and bright light shows. Here are some of the best Christmas light displays to visit in the state: 

• Pathway of Lights – At Aikman Wildlife Adventure, Arcola, each Sat. from Nov. 12 – Dec. 17
• Holiday Glow – In Allerton Park, Monticello, Dec. 2 – 23, Dec. 27 – 30, Jan. 6 – 7, Jan. 13 – 14
• Light Up the Park – In Chatham Community Park, Chatham, Nov. 25 – Dec. 25
• Wonderland in Lights – In Effingham Community Park, Effingham, Nov. 24 – Jan. 1
• The Festival of Lights – In Forest Park, Shelbyville, Nov. 18 – Jan. 1
• Candlestick Lane – At Grant Place & Eastern Lane, Urbana, Dec. 10 - Dec. 31
• Christmas in the Park – In Manner’s Park, Taylorville, Dec. 9 – 25
• Lightworks – In Peterson Park, Mattoon, Nov. 18 – Dec. 26
• Christmas Wonderland – In Rock Spring Park, Alton, Nov. 30 – Dec. 27
• Festival of Lights Winter Wonderland – In Veterans Park, East Peoria, Nov. 24 – Jan. 2
• Holiday Festival of Lights – In Aurora, Nov. 25 – Dec. 25
• Christmas Around the World & Holidays of Light – At the Museum of Science & Industry in Chicago, Nov. 30 – Jan. 8
• Illumination – At the Morton Arboretum, Lisle, Nov. 19 – Jan. 7
• Lincoln Park ZooLights – In Lincoln Park, Chicago, Nov. 19 – Jan. 1
• Brookfield Zoo's Holiday Magic – In Brookfield, Dec. 1 – 4, Dec. 14 – 18 and Dec. 26 – 31
• CTA Holiday Train – In Chicago. Follow the train to see if you can catch a ride!

Happy Birthday Illinois! Illinois became a state on Dec. 3, 1818

Let’s blow out the candles and wish a happy birthday to Illinois! Illinois turns 204 on Dec. 3, after becoming the 21^st official state of America in 1818. Illinois is a unique state with a robust history. Containing both farmlands and major cities, Illinois is a staple of the Midwest where one can find breathtaking hiking trails or go to the top of a tall skyscraper. Illinois holds many wonders and those who live in the state or those who visit can find something amazing anywhere they go, from Lake Shore Drive in Chicago to Route 66 in Springfield.

Before Illinois became a state it was inhabited for generations by the Illinois nation, a confederation of Algonquian-speaking Native American tribes. The first Europeans to visit Illinois were French explorers Louis Jolliet and Jacques Marquette in 1673. Illinois became a part of Britain after the French and Indian War. However, after the American Revolution, Illinois became a territory of the United States and achieved statehood in 1818.

At first, settlers were unsure what to make of the flat, treeless prairie lands. Settlers initially believed the lack of trees meant the land would be difficult for farming. This lack of enthusiasm led the state to have a small population when it first came into statehood, only having a population of about 35,000. Soon enough, however, farmers took their plows to the soil and found it to be far richer than expected. Sturdier plows were developed for Illinois soil, and soon the population boomed. Chicago rapidly became a bustling city and Illinois became increasingly recognized as one of the nation’s most fertile agricultural areas. The combination of agriculture and city life sets Illinois apart from other states and today we celebrate the state’s birthday for becoming a part of America’s great union! 

Notable Birthdays: Distinguished Illinois figures born in November

November is drawing to a close. Before turning our heads toward jingle bells, let’s take a moment to look back at this month while our minds are still on turkey and pumpkin pie. Many birthdays of note from those born in Illinois occurred in November. History starts the moment we are born. The famous, historic, or otherwise distinguished figures who can track their birthplaces back to Illinois in November are as follows:

• Maria Shriver: Former First Lady of California, wife of Arnold Schwarzenegger and American journalist and author, born on Nov. 6, 1955 in Chicago

• Kiernan Shipka: Actress best known for her role as Sabrina on the ­Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, born on Nov. 10, 1999 in Chicago

• Jimmy Garoppolo: American football quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, born on Nov. 2, 1991 in Arlington Heights

• Aaron Swatrz: Computer programmer and internet-protégé and activist, in 1999 at age 12 he created the encyclopedia website The Info Network, born on Nov. 8, 1986 in Chicago

• Terrence Malick: Screenwriter and film director, nominated for the Academy Award Best Director for the movie The Thin Red Line, born on Nov. 30, 1943 in Ottawa

• Nelson Ellis: Actor and playwright best known for his role as Lafayette Reynolds in the television show True Blood, born on Nov. 30, 1977 in Harvey